A&E"/>Season 8 of the hit A&E show "Duck Dynasty" premiered on Thursday, and followed the Robertson family as they prepare for the wedding of John Luke and his fiancée, Mary Kate McEacharn, which will take place Saturday, June 27.
The latest season of the popular reality show, titled "Grooming the Groom," culminated in an engagement party for John Luke and Mary Kate, who got engaged on John Luke's 19th birthday. In the episode, the Robertson family hosts Mary Kate's family for the engagement party, held at Jep and Jessica's house, which included games, a prayer before dinner and opening gifts.
"It's a celebration for the whole family," said John Luke's mother, Korie Robertson.
To prepare for the party, Korie, Sadie, Uncle Si, and Miss Kay go shopping for the "perfect" gift. However, Korie soon gets annoyed with Si, who doesn't take the shopping excursion seriously.
"He can be difficult to shop with," she tells the camera.
Meanwhile, John Luke goes on a golfing trip with his father, Willie, as well as uncles Jep and Jase who share questionable marital advice.
"'You put on R. Kelly's 'Bump 'N Grind,'" Jep tells John Luke before Willie sternly interrupts.
"My poor son can't focus on golfing with all this confusing advice," Willie says.
Over at Jep and Jessica's house, Mary Kate also receives marital advice from Phil Robertson, who teaches her how to make his famous crawfish etoufee, a Cajun and Creole dish typically served with rice and shellfish.
"Well, Mary Kate, I'm glad that you're going to be the next addition to the Robertson clan," said Phil. "What better way to start than learning how to cook my famous crawfish etouffee?"
Surrounded by Robertson wives Jessica and Missy, Mary Kate also learned that food is an important part of life for the family in West Monroe, Louisiana.
"If you're a Robertson woman and you don't know how to cook, you're going to be ridiculed and teased for the rest of your life," said Jessica.
Later, Jase's wife, Missy, explains that marrying into the Robertson family, which operates the Duck Commander business, is not always romantic, but it is "always an adventure."
"Being married to a Robertson man is not always romantic, but it is always an adventure," said Missy. "And the truth is, romance can be nice but it doesn't compare to a truly loving and committed lifelong marriage with the man you love."
Both John Luke and Mary Kate's families then gather for the engagement party, where they play a lively round of "The Newlywed Game" after dinner.
"I'm proud to see that my son is honoring the values that held our family together--love and commitment, and lots of laughs, too," Willie tells the camera as the episode concludes.
Adds Korie, "Its bittersweet to watch your son grow up, but I feel so fortunate that John Luke has grown up in such a big loving family with so many happy couples."
"Duck Dynasty" airs on A&E at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursdays.
